JACKIE HALLEEN, vice president of retail operations for Goodwill of Central Arizona
TWITTER: @GOODWILLAZ
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A WOMAN WHO MOVES THE VALLEY?
It is truly an honor to be included in this group of amazing women.
WHY IS THIS YOUR CHOSEN CAREER PATH?
This wasn’t the path that I chose originally. I was in the fashion business for years before I decided to change careers. I was with a for-profit thrift organization for about nine years, and then joined Goodwill 13 years ago and haven’t looked back. It’s very rewarding to know that what you do every day has an impact in the community. I get to do what I love—retail—while working for a nonprofit that puts people to work. Having fun while giving back? It doesn’t get any better than that!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?
I can’t say that there’s been one defining moment. I feel so proud every day to work with the team that we have at Goodwill and to see how far we’ve come over the last decade. I will say that when we held our first Career Expo at the University of Phoenix Stadium in 2013 and over 6,000 job seekers attended, seeing our organization provide resources and support to so many people was a very proud moment.
WHY IS GO RED FOR WOMEN SO NEAR AND DEAR TO YOU?
I was born with a defective heart and have had to adjust my lifestyle accordingly. I really want women to understand that heart disease is the No. 1 killer among us, but it can certainly be prevented. Women need to talk about this issue more and understand the facts about how stress, high blood pressure and diet can lead to heart disease, attacks or strokes, and what can be done to prevent it.
WHAT IS ONE WISH YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?
I believe that our mission here at Goodwill is one of the best-kept secrets in the Valley. Through our retail stores, we are able to provide the funding that enables us to operate Career Centers, hold job fairs, and provide a multitude of services that give people the tools to achieve employment. My wish is for people to understand that Goodwill is not just thrift stores, but a community organization that helps improve the lives of the people who live here.
NAME A WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE.
Sue Fish—she was my first director in the thrift industry. I still try to be the leader that she saw in me; she had a big impact on my career.
JACKIE’S FAVES
BOOK: Any book about the monarchy; I am fascinated by kings and queens.
MOVIE: “Elf ”—I could watch it all year long.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Shopping and drinking wine.
TV SHOW: Unfortunately it’s not on anymore, but “The Tudors” is my all-time favorite.
ANNUAL LOCAL EVENT: Our own Evening of Goodwill and the Go Red for Women luncheon.
THING ABOUT ARIZONA: The beauty of the desert. There is nothing more spectacular than watching the hot air balloons floating through the morning sky. You can’t see that everywhere!
CHRISTINA SMITH, president of closetcandyboutique.com
INSTAGRAM: @CLOSETCANDYBOUTIQUE TWITTER: @SHOPCCB
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A WOMAN WHO MOVES THE VALLEY?
I’ve always admired the women chosen for their amazing careers and focus on giving back. I think it’s amazing to be in a position to run a successful business and carve out the time and resources to give back to our community.
WHY IS FASHION YOUR CHOSEN CAREER PATH?
I’ve always been a bit of a shopaholic and an avid online shopper. When I owned Designer Shades, I started out with a few fun pieces in the lobby. I soon realized I had a gift for buying and styling. I paired this with my background in business and operations and my husband’s background in computer science and Web design and soon we figured out how to get our adorable outfits into people’s closets all over the country.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?
It had to be the day we had $1,000,000 in sales, and our company was less than a year old. Being able to do this debt- free was even more meaningful!
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?
A few months after we launched our Web site, we hit our first $100,000 month, and my husband was diagnosed with cancer. This meant we were working seven days a week at our regular jobs and Closet Candy Boutique, trying to manage the growth, and taking care of our two little boys all while my husband was undergoing treatment. It was the toughest few months of our lives, but I’m really proud that we got through it together and only grew stronger in our faith.
WHAT VALLEY CAUSE IS NEAREST AND DEAREST TO YOU?
Every year, we participate in Family To Family through Christ Church of the Valley (CCV). We are able to make sure that thousands of children who rely on the public schools for their meals don’t go hungry over the two-week Christmas break. This year, our goal is to donate enough food to feed 200 families for an entire week each. CCV as a whole will feed about 7,500 families for two weeks each. We are also fortunate enough to donate all of our slightly defective clothing to The Phoenix Dream Center, another amazing Valley organization.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE BEING A MOM WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE?
This is a tough one! I’m definitely a workaholic, and my kids make it pretty clear when I’ve been too distracted. Growing a new business takes an immeasurable amount of time and effort, but so does raising children. At the end of the day, I just have to remember that shaping these energetic boys into amazing, responsible, giving men is my most important job.
CHRISTINA’S FAVES
BOOK: I’m definitely a fiction type of girl. I recently finished the “Divergent” series and loved them.
MOVIE: I’m not afraid to admit I’ve watched “Pitch Perfect” more times than I can count.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Probably watching “The Real Housewives” after everyone goes to bed.
TV SHOW: “The League” and “Parenthood.”
VALLEY RESTAURANT: Sol Cocina or The Capital Grille are my favorites.
ANNUAL LOCAL EVENT: ZooLights with my kids and The Phoenix Open with my husband.
